Congratulations on deciding to take up the challenge that is the “Winter Warmer”. This is the fifth annual event that has seen many bouts of bad weather, strong winds and natural hazards that have etched the Winter Warmer into the status it enjoys today. By participating you will join the list of names that have tackled the famous roads, climbed the highest peaks and given your best efforts on the bike and in the bar between Brisbane and Tranquil Park.
Please be at the shop by 0600 hours on Saturday to load the follow vehicle ready for a departure at 0645 hours sharp.
The Wombles group is first to leave on Saturday 8th August at 0615 hours. They’ll depart a half hour before the official start which is at 0645 hours. Anyone who wants a little more time to get to Woodford should consider this option. Once we’re on the road there will be some `fuel’ stops and places where we regroup. We’ll stay together as much as we can and re-group as need be. Don’t be embarrassed to get in the follow vehicle if you’re struggling as a well timed rest can sometimes put you in a good position for the more enjoyable parts of today’s ride.
Bags and Parking:
Please limit bag size as much as possible. We have limited space and have over 40 bags to convey. Bags can be dropped at the shop on Friday if necessary. Tranquil Park is a full hotel providing all linen, pillows, hair dryers and towels but please pack your own bath robes. Parking in the shop car park is not an option as Saturday trade will limit this option. Parking is available within 1 km of the shop in some areas of Red Hill and Kelvin Grove/Spring Hill.
Ride Route:
The Winter Warmer is an over night ride from Brisbane to Maleny and return. It starts at the Lifecycle shop car park and goes to the beautiful Tranquil Park at Maleny. The ride route starts from Lifecycle and travels to Samford, Dayboro, ascends Mt Mee and stops at Woodford for lunch. After re-fueling at Woodford we head to Peachester, ascend the Peachester climb and turn left onto the notorious Maleny Stanley River Road. A steep 900mtr section at 15-20% lies 12km from the hotel. Be prepared to suffer or to make your fellow riders suffer!! This is the place to do it. The ride to Maleny finishes with 11km of tough undulations until you arrive at Tranquil Park with a view of the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains.
The ride back on Sunday follows some of the oldest and most picturesque roads in South East Queensland. We’ll descend the Maleny range, through green farmland and into Peachester. Then follow the base of the Glasshouse Mountains onto Elimbah before heading to Wamuran for a lunch stop. From there, the route follows some quiet back roads behind Caboolture and Morayfield. The final stretch takes us through Bray Park and Albany Creek before arriving at Lifecycle with a total of 250km, over two days, under the belt.
Ride Milestones:
- Top of Samford Range 17km
- Dayboro 43km- Base of Mt Mee 46km- Mt Mee climb approx 6km long
- High Point of Mt Mee 65km- Woodford 85km- Peachester Climb 95km
- Turn into Maleny Stanley River Road 104km
- Stanley River Road steep section 109km
- Turn into Mountain View Road 120km.
- Tranquil Park 124km
Our first fuel stop is at the top of Mt Mee which is also the location of the `Lifecycle Winter Warmer bake off’. This year we’re hoping for a spike in the participant numbers, so if you’re into competitive baking be sure to bring something along! The only rule is that the baked goods must be in single serve sizing!
After the bake off stop and re-group we’ll keep riding on to the second stop, which is C.J’s Pastries in Woodford for lunch. After our lunch in Woodford we’ll be turning right into Kilcoy Beerwah rd which is flat riding for about 25-30klm and then leads onto a 2km semi steep climb. At the top of this climb you’ll turn left onto Stanley River Road at which point you’re approximately 20 km from the hotel. From here we advise that you ride at your own pace as this is the last section before the hotel and a good time to stretch the legs before the last climb of the day. The last climb is a very steep section on Maleny Stanley River Road. It’s a 20% climb and around 900mtrs long, you’ll really feel the burn here! After the climb the remainder of the ride is all undulating road and beautiful scenery for around 12 km until a right hand turn into Mountain View Road. There is a large sign that indicates this turn which says “Mary Cairncross Park”, Mountain View Road”, it is scenic route 23. Do not continue into Maleny as this is the wrong way. Please familiarize yourself with the route map*.
*Daniel Bermingham from www.kupenda.com.au has provided us with some great maps (see below) so for those of you who are doing this for the first time, please familiarize yourself with the route.
Please take note of your room number below and feel free to ask any questions you have before the ride departs. The Tranquil Park reception will not know which room you’re in so please remember your room number and request the key accordingly. A light lunch will be served at approximately 1400 hours. This will be platters of sandwiches and hot food and please remember that some riders will be coming in later and will be in need of sustenance. Lunch is included in the WW package as is a hot breakfast which will be served at 7am. Check with reception to see where both will be served.
Evening Events:
Tranquil Park is an Irish pub/hotel with good meals, cold beer and great atmosphere. Most people eat at Tranquil Park but there are a few places in town if you’d like to branch off for something different. Previous years have seen demand for some entertainment in the afternoon/ evening and we’ve had some great times. The `theme’ for Saturday night is in keeping with the Irish pub/hotel so please dress for dinner in something green or orange. We’ve arranged some entertainment after dinner so please bring your toothbrush to dinner as afterwards Greg Morton, Lifecycles’s official dentist, will be running an oral hygiene seminar. After everyone has freshened up their breath, we’ll have Irishman Ray Concar doing a demonstration of an Irish Jig. Luke Stockwell has organized a mime, in traditional Irish costume and Benny Duncan will strum a tune on his Irish fiddle. If you have something to share then let us know and we’ll make time for you in the nights entertainment.
We’re departing Maleny at 0800 on Sunday morning so please have your bags out the front of reception and be ready to ride. The return journey is quite tough with many turns and short steep hills. Please be aware of your condition after two days of riding and if you’re struggling conserve energy by staying out of the wind. We should be back at the shop between 1330-1430 hours for some coldies.
Room List:
Room # 6: Kevin Hodgson, Russell Hoelzl
Room # 7: Ken Fowler, Hamish Dalglish
Room # 8: Paul Farrington, David Bunzli
Room # 9: Tony Moore, Sam Morgan, Aitor Urquiza
Room # 10: Joe Millican, Simon Carlyle
Room # 14: Julie & Owen Uebel, Simone Grounds & Jason Bilsborough
Room # 15: Derek Nicholson, Marshall Murphy
Room # 16A: David Thompson, Vanessa Boulton, Glen Harvey
Room # 20: Tony Peech, Greg Morton, Grant Botica
Room # 22: Sheree McKenzie & Cameron Hughes
Room # 23: Jon Beale, Matt Militano, Dave Robbins
Room # 24: Tim Class Auliff, Damon Wood
Room # 25: Becky Francis, Amelia Paxman
Room # 27: Paul Stronich, Chris Gibbs, Ian May
Room # 28: Blair Stockwell, Pete Goding, Luke Stockwell
Room # 29: Jason Moore, Matt Hopper, Ray Concar
Room # 30: Lars Aarekol, Jonny Stockwell, Liam McCarthy, Matt Barnes
Follow Car Rules:
The follow car is there to assist when getting a puncture. If you get a puncture/mechanical problem please tell someone and pull over to the side of the road. If it’s a mechanical problem we’ll assess the problem and deal with it accordingly. If it’s a puncture, replace your wheel with a spare that we have provided or repair your flat. Then get yourself and your bike into the follow car and drive back to the bunch. Do not attempt to ride back up to the group as last year the follow car and a rider became lost and there was no support for the remaining riders.
Phone Numbers:
If you have any problems on the ride or questions during the event please call.
Blair Stockwell 0401 676 600
Matt Hopper 0416 027 117
Rod Stewart (Sat only) 0418 996 076
Ride Profile:
Ride Maps:
